We are one of the largest, and the oldest Texas chapter, of the NAR
(National Association of Rocketry.) Operating since 1972, we have been promoting sport and hobby
rocketry throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex nonstop for over 40 years. While launching/flying
rockets is our primary activity, our presence also reaches out into the community in other ways.
Our outreach programs work with the Scouts, YMCA, 4H, as well as many local schools and educators,
to encourage the next generation of Texans to pursue their interest in science, math, aerospace
or engineering. And, kids always fly free!
The general public is always welcome to attend any of our launches, bring your rockets and join
in the fun. Our members will help you fly everything, from the smaller Estes and Quest model rockets
up to custom built high-power rockets reaching altitudes in excess of a mile.
So if you're interested in rocketry, contact us and we'll be happy to introduce you to the hobby. Or check out our calendar and stop by the next event.

The picture above is of a scale model Saturn-V vehicle from the Apollo missions. Flown by Warren Benson (of Houston) at a DARS launch,
the kit is from Apogee Rockets and is 1/70 scale. It flew successfully on the core Aerotech G-64
motor (even though the four outboard Estes E-9 motors failed to ignite.)

Hi-Power Launch was GREAT!

Blue skies, light(ish) winds and a mostly not muddy field with temps in the mid-70s. We had a bunch of certification flights, including our first L3 cert flight on an M-motor. Congratulations George Sprague!
Many Cub Scouts were there also, they had been scheduled into our Frisco Modroc launch. But that launch was washed out, so they came to see the big stuff instead. And each of them flew their rocket,
some many times. And we had some local schools come out to fly Team America qualifications. A full day with just excellent weather.

TARC NEWS...TARC NEWS

WE had four TARC teams get in their practice launches and then their qualifications flights. Johnson Middle school has their Pride-2 team in great shape, with 2-flight qualifications of 1.48 and 13.84.
Lower scores are better, and that's the best we've heard about.
Ore City had a great first flight of just over 4 but then crashed their bird in a season ending DQ.
Now we wait to see which teams go to the finals in DC over Mother's Day weekend.

The Frisco site was OK to fly on, last month, Saturday, Feb.21

The winds were a bit high, (but only 10-15mph) and out of the north. It was firm enough to drive onto, but 1,000ft altitude was still workable. We had one High School TARC team (from Ore City)
flying their competition rocket. A small but steady flow of new rocketeers kept us till about 3pm. And by then it was surprisingly warm! And great flying!

High-Power NEWS!!!

The DARS has secured access to another High-Power launch site. [But it is even more wet than up here.] This one is down near Corsicana, TX.
It is almost twice the size of our Gunter site, but it is active cropland instead of pasture. So it will only be available between crops.
The initial waiver is for 10,000ft MSL (about 9,300ft AGL) so we will restrict flights to 9K and lower.
This site was originally vetoed by an office in the FAA that controls the heavy air-routes that overfly the area.
But thanks to David Schultz's perseverance, it went through the new official process and was approved.
We have to coordinate with the Air-Routing group in addition to the normal FAA control groups, but that way they can get a feel for what we do.
Well; everything did not come together after all. Our farmer / owner has asked us to wait for the fields to dry out, so we ARE NOT getting down there till after mid-summer.

This is cool!

This very-well-made-video of the DARS launch shows the people side of model rocketry.
It wonderfully highlights the fun we find in the hobby.
Thanks to Cap'n Kris Kirk (one of the Team Amick Dads.) Good work indeed!

The DARS is a Texas hobby non-profit association.
All photos shown and other content on this web-site are proprietary to and Copyright of the respective owners,
and are not to be copied or used for Commercial purposes.